I used to put all toys in bathtub with bleach water and then just a water rinse. But now I put them into the front load washer on gentle cycle, works FABULOUS on all those little play dishes and food! Then they come out rinsed and layed on towels to dry. I still use the bathtub method with the trucks and other little things like that with little pieces that might get lost in washer. But honestly I don't wash them all very often unless it is potty training time or someone has had an accident.